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Abstract:

Disclosed are a service system and a method of providing a service in a
digital receiver. The service providing method includes selecting content
including an identifier with respect to an SNS or a data exchange space
that is opened in linkage with content from a service guide, and
outputting the selected content and the SNS or the data exchange space
linked to the content in respective areas of a screen. The SNS linked to
the content includes a data exchange space configured to allow one or
more SNS users to simultaneously access the data exchange space using an
open API from the server, and also includes a SNS identifier having a
format as access information for the corresponding data exchange space.

Claims:

1. A method of providing a service in a digital receiver, the method
comprising: selecting content including an identifier with respect to a
Social Networking Service, SNS, or a data exchange space that is opened
in linkage with content from a service guide; and outputting the selected
content and the SNS or the data exchange space linked to the content in
respective areas of a screen, wherein the SNS linked to the content
includes a data exchange space configured to allow one or more SNS users
to simultaneously access the data exchange space using an open
Application Programming Interface, API, from a server, and also includes
a SNS identifier having a format as access information for the
corresponding data exchange space.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining
whether or not a request for content change or channel switching is
input; and determining whether or not an SNS linked to changed content or
a switched channel is present if the determined result shows that the
request for content change or channel switching is input.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SNS identifier is
exclusive to the corresponding digital receiver regardless of channel,
content, and SNS types.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the provided SNS further
includes information on the viewing rate of corresponding content.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a
digital signal including the content and signaling information on the
content.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the linked SNS is determined
based on at least one reference selected from among a user who use the
same content, an open chat with respect to common interest content, a
closed chat with respect to personal interest content, genre, sex, ages,
content, viewing rate, rating, time, channel, broadcast station,
manufacturer, friend, and series.

7. A method of providing a service in a digital receiver, the method
comprising: executing an SNS; outputting, based on a reference, a list of
at least one service item linked to at least one content of the executed
SNS; and outputting a service window for the service item selected from
the output list and content linked to the service item in respective
areas of a screen.

8. A digital receiver in a service system, the digital receiver
comprising: a first receiving unit configured to receive a service guide,
including an identifier with respect to an Social Networking Service,
SNS, or a data exchange space that is opened in linkage with content,
from a server; a second receiving unit configured to select content from
the service guide; a control unit configured to control output of the
selected content and the SNS or the data exchange space linked to the
content in respective areas of a screen; a decoder configured to
configure the content and the SNS or the data exchange space under the
control of the control unit; and a display unit configured to output the
configured content and the configured SNS or data exchange space in the
respective areas of the screen, wherein the SNS linked to the content
includes a data exchange space configured to allow one or more SNS users
to simultaneously access the data exchange space using an open
Application Programming Interface, API, from the server, and also
includes a SNS identifier having a format as access information for the
corresponding data exchange space.

9. The digital receiver according to claim 8, wherein the control unit
determines whether or not a request for content change or channel
switching is input, and determines whether or not an SNS linked to
changed content or a switched channel is present if the determined result
shows that the request for content change or channel switching is input.

10. The digital receiver according to claim 8, wherein the SNS identifier
is exclusive to the corresponding digital receiver regardless of channel,
content, and SNS types.

11. The digital receiver according to claim 8, wherein the provided SNS
further includes information on the viewing rate of corresponding
content.

12. The digital receiver according to claim 8, further comprising a third
receiver that receives a digital signal including the content and
signaling information on the content.

13. The digital receiver according to claim 8, wherein the linked SNS is
determined based on at least one reference selected from among a user who
use the same content, an open chat with respect to common interest
content, a closed chat with respect to personal interest content, genre,
sex, ages, content, viewing rate, rating, time, channel, broadcast
station, manufacturer, friend, and series.

Description:

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2011-0144739, filed on, Dec. 28, 2011, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to operation of a service system and
a digital receiver, and more particularly to a service system for
provision of a Social Networking Service (SNS) that has recently been
popular and a method of providing the SNS in a digital receiver.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] Broadcasting is rapidly converting from analog to digital all over
the world. As compared to traditional analog broadcasting, digital
broadcasting has lower data loss owing to high resistance to noise, is
advantageous for error correction, and provides higher resolution, and
consequently more vivid imagery. Moreover, provision of a bidirectional
service is possible under digital broadcasting unlike in analog
broadcasting.

[0006] In addition to conventional media, such as terrestrial, satellite,
and cable media, in recent years, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)
broadcasting service related to digital content, such as real time
broadcasting and Content on Demand (CoD), for example, has also been
implemented via an IP network connected to individual homes.

[0007] Additionally, although SNSs are becoming increasingly popular due
to wide diffusion of mobile appliances, such as smart-phones or tablet
PCs, SNSs are less employed in TVs than the mobile appliances due to
several limitations, such as options of a receiver and the size of a
display, for example. Under such an environment, digital receivers cannot
completely meet the needs of users, and cause inconvenience in that a
user still has to satisfy a passive environment via a digital receiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a service system
and a method of providing a service in a digital receiver that
substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a digital receiver
to assist a variety of service scenarios and a service system for the
same.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of
providing a user of a digital receiver with a more active environment via
a service system, thereby assisting the user in more easily and
conveniently using services, such as an SNS, and a User Interface (UI)
for the same.

[0011] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will
become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon
examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be
realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the
written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0012] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described
herein, a method of providing a service in a digital receiver, includes
selecting content including an identifier with respect to a Social
Networking Service (SNS) or a data exchange space that is opened in
linkage with content from a service guide, and outputting the selected
content and the SNS or the data exchange space linked to the content in
respective areas of a screen, wherein the SNS linked to the content
includes a data exchange space configured to allow one or more SNS users
to simultaneously access the data exchange space using an open
Application Programming Interface (API) from the server, and also
includes a SNS identifier having a format as access information for the
corresponding data exchange space.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
method of providing a service in a digital receiver includes executing an
SNS, outputting, based on a reference, a list of at least one service
item linked to at least one content among the executed SNS, and
outputting a service window for the service item selected from the output
list and content linked to the service item in respective areas of a
screen.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
digital receiver equipped in a service system includes a first receiving
unit configured to receive a service guide including an identifier with
respect to an SNS or a data exchange space that is opened in linkage with
content from a server, a second receiving unit configured to select
content from the service guide, a control unit configured to control
output of the selected content and the SNS or the data exchange space
linked to the content in respective areas of a screen, a decoder
configured to configure the content and the SNS or the data exchange
space under the control of the control unit, and a display unit
configured to output the configured content and the configured SNS or
data exchange space in the respective areas of the screen, wherein the
SNS linked to the content includes a data exchange space configured to
allow one or more SNS users to simultaneously access the data exchange
space using an open API from the server, and also includes a SNS
identifier having a format as access information for the corresponding
data exchange space.

[0015] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a
digital receiver equipped in a service system includes a server
configured to generate a service guide including an identifier with
respect to an SNS or a data exchange space that is opened in linkage with
content, a control unit configured to receive a request for execution of
an SNS, generates a list of at least one SNS or data exchange space
linked to at least one content, controls output of the SNS or the data
exchange space based on a reference, and control output of at least one
of the content and the SNS or the data exchange space selected from the
list, and a display unit configured to output the content and the SNS or
the data exchange space in respective areas of a screen under control of
the control unit.

[0016] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description of the present invention are
exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation
of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and
together with the description serve to explain the principle of the
invention. In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a
broadcast system including a digital receiver according to the present
invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a digital receiver
according to the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a view illustrating another example of a digital receiver
according to the present invention;

[0021] FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams illustrating a detailed
configuration of other examples of a digital receiver according to the
present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of internal
components of a control unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a view illustrating remote controllers of a digital
receiver according to the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a service
system according to the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a service
system according to the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of
providing a service in a digital broadcast system according to the
present invention; and

[0027] FIGS. 11 to 18 are views illustrating various embodiments of
provision of an SNS linked to content according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to illustrations of the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The terms "module" and "unit" attached to describe the names of
components are used herein to help the understanding of the components
and thus should not be considered as having particular meanings or roles.
Accordingly, the terms "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably.

[0030] An example of a digital receiver according to the present invention
as described herein is an intelligent receiver equipped with a computer
support function in addition to a broadcasting reception function, for
example. As a result of an Internet function being added to a
broadcasting reception function, the digital receiver may include a
convenient interface, such as a hand-writing input device, a touch
screen, or a remote controller, for example. Further, owing to provision
of wired or wireless Internet functions, the digital receiver may
implement various functions, such as e-mail transmission/reception, Web
browsing, banking, or gaming, for example, when connected to the Internet
or a computer. To facilitate implementation of the aforementioned various
functions, the digital receiver may operate based on a standard,
general-purpose Operating System (OS). Additionally, the digital receiver
may be configured such that various applications may be freely added to
or deleted from, for example, a general-purpose OS kernel, and thus may
implement various user friendly functions. This kind of digital receiver
may include, for example, a network TV, a Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV
(HBBTV), a smart TV, and a social TV, and as occasion demands, may also
include a smart-phone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

[0031] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the attached drawings and
illustrations thereof, but it should be understood that the present
invention is not restricted or limited by the embodiments that will be
described hereinafter.

[0032] Although the terms used in the following description are selected,
as much as possible, from general terms that are widely used at present
while taking into consideration the functions obtained in accordance with
the present invention, these terms may be replaced by other terms based
on intensions of those skilled in the art, customs, emergence of new
technologies, or the like. Also, in a particular case, terms that are
arbitrarily selected by the applicant of the present invention may be
used. In this case, the meanings of these terms may be described in
corresponding description parts of the invention. Accordingly, it should
be noted that the terms used herein should be construed based on
practical meanings thereof and the whole content of this specification,
rather than being simply construed based on names of the terms.

[0033] A digital receiver equipped in a service system for providing a
Social Networking Service (SNS) according to an example of the present
invention may include a first receiver that receives a service guide
including an identifier with respect to an SNS or a data exchange space
that is opened in linkage with content from a server, a second receiver
that receives selected content from the service guide, a control unit
that controls output of the selected content and the SNS or the data
exchange space linked to the content in respective areas of a screen, a
decoder that configures content and the SNS or the data exchange space
under the control of the control unit, and a display unit that outputs
the configured content and the configured SNS or data exchange space in
the respective areas of the screen. In this case, the SNS linked to the
content may include a data exchange space configured to allow a plurality
of users of at least one SNS to simultaneously access the data exchange
space using an open Application Programming Interface (API) from the
server, and may also include a SNS identifier having a format as access
information with respect to the corresponding data exchange space.

[0034] In the above described digital receiver, the second receiver may
request opening of an SNS data exchange space linked to a particular
program, and the control unit may determine whether or not a request for
content change or channel switching is input, and may determine whether
or not an SNS linked to changed content or a switched channel is present
if the determined result shows that the request for content change or
channel switching is input.

[0035] In the above description, the control unit may inquire whether or
not to terminate an existing SNS, or may provide a new SNS after
automatically terminating the existing SNS, based on the presence of the
SNS linked to the changed content or the switched channel. The SNS may
not be provided via execution of an application for the corresponding SNS
previously provided in the digital receiver. The SNS identifier may be
allotted from at least one of an associated SNS server and a server to
which the digital receiver belongs. The format may be configured to
provide the existing SNS with each data exchange space linked to the
output content regardless of a service type. The SNS may be at least one
of an open SNS and a closed SNS. The SNS identifier is exclusive to the
corresponding digital receiver regardless of channel, content, and
service types. The SNS may also provide view rating information on the
corresponding content, and the digital receiver may further include a
third receiver that receives a digital signal including content and
signaling information on the content. The SNS linked to the content may
be determined based on at least one reference selected from among a user
of the same content, open chat with respect to common interest content,
closed chat with respect to personal interest content, genre, sex, age,
content, viewing rate, rating, time, channel, broadcast station,
manufacturer, friend, and series.

[0036] A service system for an SNS according to an example of the present
invention includes a server that generates a service guide including an
identifier with respect to an SNS or a data exchange space that is opened
in linkage with content, a control unit that receives a request for
execution of an SNS, generates a list of at least one SNS or data
exchange space linked to at least one content, controls output of the SNS
or the data exchange space based on a reference, and controls output of
at least one of the content and the SNS or the data exchange space
selected from the list, and a display unit that outputs the content and
the SNS or the data exchange space in respective areas of a screen under
control of the control unit.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a
broadcast system including a digital receiver according to the present
invention.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an example of a broadcast system equipped
with a digital receiver according to the present invention includes a
Content Provider (CP) 10, a Service Provider (SP) 20, a Network Provider
(NP) 30, and a Home Network End User (FINED) (customer) 40. For example,
the FINED 40 may be a client 100, i.e. a digital receiver according to
the present invention. As described above, the HNED 40 may be a network
TV, a smart-TV, or an IPTV, for example.

[0039] The content provider 10 produces and provides a variety of content.
Examples of the content provider 1010, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may
include a terrestrial broadcaster, a cable System Operator (cable SO), a
Multiple System Operator (MSO), a satellite broadcaster, an Internet
broadcaster, and a private content provider. The content provider 10 may
provide, for example, a variety of applications as well as broadcast
content. This will be described hereinafter in more detail.

[0040] The service provider 20 may service-package the content provided by
the content provider 10, and transmit the service-packaged content. For
example, the service provider 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 may package a
first terrestrial broadcast, a second terrestrial broadcast, a cable MSO,
a satellite broadcast, various Internet broadcasts, and applications, and
provide the packaged broadcasts to a user.

[0041] The service provider 20 may provide a service to the client 100
using a uni-cast or multi-cast method. The uni-cast method is a method of
transmitting data between a single transmitter and a single receiver in a
one to one ratio. For example, if a receiver requests data to a server in
the uni-cast method, the server transmits the data to the corresponding
receiver in response to the request. On the other hand, the multi-cast
method is a method of transmitting data to a plurality of receivers
within a particular group. For example, a server transmits data to a
plurality of pre-registered receivers simultaneously. For example, an
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) may be used for the multicast
registration.

[0042] The content provider 10 and the service provider 20 may be the same
entity. For example, the content provider 10 may produce content,
service-package the content, and provide the packaged service. Thus, the
content provider 10 may perform the function of the service provider 20.
Of course, the converse case is also possible.

[0043] The network provider 30 may provide a network for data exchange
between a server and the client 1100.

[0044] In the present invention, a server that will be described
hereinafter may serve as a service provider, and a Cloud may serve as a
service provider or a network provider.

[0045] The client 100 may build a home network to enable
transmission/reception of data.

[0046] Meanwhile, for the sake of protection of content to be transmitted,
a server included in a broadcast system may utilize certain means, such
as conditional access and content protection means, for example. In this
case, the client 100 may utilize means corresponding to the conditional
access or content protection means, such as a cable card, a Downloadable
Conditional Access System (DCAS), or the like.

[0047] In addition, the client 100 may adopt a bi-directional service via
a network. In this case, the client 100 may also function as a content
provider, and the service provider 20 may receive content from the client
100, and in turn transmit the content to another client.

[0048]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a digital receiver
according to the present invention. FIG. 2 may correspond to the client
of FIG. 1, for example.

[0049] A digital receiver 200 includes a network interface 201, a
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) manager 202, a
service delivery manager 203, a Service Information (SI) decoder 204, a
demultiplexer (DEMUX) 205, an audio decoder 206, a video decoder 207, a
display Audio/Video (A/V) and On Screen Display (OSD) module 208, a
service control manager 209, a service discovery manager 210, an SI &
metadata database (DB) 211, a metadata manager 212, a service manager
213, and a User Interface (UI) manager 214, for example.

[0050] The network interface 201 may receive or transmit IP packets via a
network. That is, the network interface 201 may receive, for example, a
service and content from the service provider 20 via a network.

[0051] The TCP/IP manager 202 has a role in transmission of the IP packets
to and from the digital receiver 200, i.e. in packet transmission between
a source and a destination. The TCP/IP manager 202 may sort the received
packets to correspond to appropriate protocols, and output the sorted
packets to the service delivery manager 203, the service discovery
manager 210, the service control manager 209, and the metadata manager
212, for example.

[0052] The service delivery manager 203 serves to control received service
data. For example, the service delivery manager 203 may use a Real time
Transport Protocol (RTP)/RT Control Protocol (RTCP) in the case of
controlling real time streaming data. When transmitting the real time
streaming data using the RTP, the service delivery manager 203 may parse
the received data packets based on the RTP and transmit the parsed data
packets to the demultiplexer 205, or may store the receive data packets
in the SI & metadata DB 211 based on control of the service manager 213.
The service delivery manager 203 may return information received via the
network to a service providing server using the RTCP.

[0053] The demultiplexer 205 demultiplexes the received packets to audio,
video and System Information (SI) data, and transmits the demultiplexed
data to the audio and video decoders 206 and 207 and the SI decoder 204.

[0054] The SI decoder 204 decodes service information, system information
or signaling information, such as, for example, Program and System
Information (PSI), PSI protocol (PSIP), and Digital Video Broadcasting
Service Information (DVB-SI).

[0055] The SI decoder 204 stores the decoded service information in, for
example, the SI & metadata DB 211. The stored service information, for
example, may be read and used by a corresponding component in response to
a user request. In the present invention, service information, related to
an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) service depending on a user request, a
channel browser service, or the like, may also be read from the SI &
metadata DB 211. This will be described later in more detail.

[0056] The audio and video decoders 206 and 207 respectively decode audio
data and video data demultiplexed in the demultiplexer 205. The decoded
audio and video data are provided to a user via the display A/V and OSD
module 208.

[0057] An application manager may consist of the UI manager 214 and the
service manager 213, for example. The application manager may manage
overall states of the digital receiver 200, provide a user interface, and
manage other managers.

[0058] The UI manager 214 provides a Graphic User Interface (GUI) for a
user using an OSD, and the like, and performs an operation of the
receiver upon receiving a key input from the user. For example, when
receiving a key input signal for channel selection from the user, the UI
manager 214 transmits the key input signal to the service manager 213.

[0059] The service manager 213 controls a service associated manager, such
as the service delivery manager 203, the service discovery manager 210,
the service control manager 209, and the metadata manager 212, for
example.

[0060] The service manager 213 makes a channel map, and selects a channel
using the channel map based on the key input received from the UI manager
214. Additionally, the service manager 213 receives channel service
information from the SI decoder 204, and sets an audio/video Packet
Identifier (PID) of the selected channel to the demultiplexer 205. The
set PID is used for the above-described demultiplexing. Thus, the
demultiplexer 2050 filters audio data, video data and SI data using the
PID.

[0061] The service discovery manager 210 provides information required to
select a service provider that provides a service. When receiving a
signal for channel selection from the service manager 213, the service
discovery manager 210 searches a service using the information.

[0062] The service control manager 209 takes charge of selection and
control of a service. For example, the service control manager 209 may
perform selection and control of a service using the IGMP or a Real Time
Streaming Protocol (RTSP) if a user selects a live broadcasting service
of the same type as a traditional broadcasting service, or using the RTSP
if the user selects a Video on Demand (VOD) service. The RTSP may provide
a trick mode with respect to real time streaming. The service control
manager 209 may initialize and manage a session through an IMS gateway
250 using an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and a Session Initiation
Protocol (SIP). The aforementioned protocols are given by way of example,
and other protocols may be used according to embodiments.

[0063] The metadata manager 212 manages service associated metadata, and
stores the metadata in the SI & metadata DB 211.

[0064] The SI & metadata DB 211 stores the service information decoded by
the SI decoder 204, the metadata managed by the metadata manager 212, and
information required to select the SP provided by the service discovery
manager 210. Additionally, the SI & metadata DB 211 may store, for
example, system setup data.

[0065] The SI & metadata DB 211 may be realized using a Non-Volatile RAM
(NVRAM), or a flash memory, for example.

[0066] The IMS gateway 250 may be a gateway in which functions required to
access an IMS-based IPTV service are collected.

[0067]FIG. 3 is a view illustrating another example of a digital receiver
according to the present invention.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, an example of a digital receiver 300 according
to the present invention may include a broadcast receiving unit 305, an
external interface unit 335, a storage unit 340, a user input interface
350, a control unit 370, a display unit 380, an audio output unit 385, a
power supply unit 390, and an image capturing unit (not shown). The
broadcast receiving unit 305 may include at least one tuner 310, a
demodulator 320, and a network interface unit 330. As occasion demands,
the broadcast receiving unit 305 may be designed to include a tuner 310
and a demodulator 320 without a network interface unit 330, or may be
designed to include only the network interface unit 330 without the tuner
310 and the demodulator 320. Although not illustrated, the broadcast
receiving unit 305 may further include a multiplexer to multiplex a
signal that has passed through the tuner 310 and demodulated by the
demodulator 320 and a signal that has been received through the network
interface unit 330. Additionally, although not illustrated, the broadcast
receiving unit 305 may further include a demultiplexer to demultiplex the
multiplexed signal or the demodulated signal, or to demultiplex the
signal that has passed through the network interface unit 330.

[0069] The tuner 310 receives one of Radio Frequency (RF) broadcast
signals received through an antenna by tuning a user-selected channel or
all pre-stored channels. Then, the tuner 310 converts the received RF
broadcast signal into an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal or a baseband
signal.

[0070] For example, the tuner 310 may convert the received RF broadcast
signal into a digital IF (DIF) signal if the RF broadcast signal is a
digital broadcast signal, or may convert the received RF broadcast signal
into an analog baseband audio or video signal (Composite Video Banking
Sync/Sound Intercarrier Frequency (CVBS/SIF) signal) if the RF broadcast
signal is an analog broadcast signal. That is, the tuner 310 may process
both digital and analog broadcast signals. The analog baseband audio or
video signal (CVBS/SIF signal) output from the tuner 310 may be directly
input to the control unit 370.

[0071] The tuner 310 may receive an RF broadcast signal of a single
carrier based on an Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) mode or
an RF broadcast signal of multiple carriers based on a Digital Video
Broadcasting (DVB) mode.

[0072] Additionally, the tuner 310 may convert one of the RF broadcast
signals received through the antenna into the IF signal or the baseband
signal by sequentially tuning and receiving the RF broadcast signals of
all broadcast channels stored via a channel memory function.

[0073] The demodulator 320 receives and demodulates the digital IF signal
converted in the tuner 310.

[0074] For example, if the digital IF signal output from the tuner 310 is
based on the ATSC mode, the demodulator 320 performs, for example,
8-Vestigal Side Band (8-VSB) demodulation. Also, the demodulator 320 may
perform channel decoding. To this end, the demodulator 320 may include a
trellis decoder, a de-interleaver, and a Reed Solomon (RS) decoder, and
may perform trellis decoding, de-interleaving, and RS decoding.

[0075] For example, if the digital IF signal output from the tuner 310 is
based on the DVB mode, the demodulator 320 performs, for example, Coded
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (COFDMA) demodulation.
Also, the demodulator 320 may perform channel decoding. To this end, the
demodulator 320 may include a convolution decoder, a de-interleaver, and
an RS decoder, and may perform convolution decoding, de-interleaving, and
RS decoding.

[0076] The demodulator 320 may output a stream signal after performing the
demodulation and the channel decoding. In this case, the stream signal
may be obtained by multiplexing a video signal, an audio signal or a data
signal. For example, the stream signal may be MPEG-2 Transport Stream
(TS) obtained by multiplexing an MPEG-2 video signal or a Dolby AC-3
audio signal. More specifically, the MPEG-2 TS may contain a 4-bype
header and a 184-byte payload.

[0077] The demodulator 320 as described above may be provided separately
for the ATSC mode and the DVB mode. That is, the digital receiver may
include an ATSC demodulator and a DVB demodulator.

[0078] The stream signal output from the demodulator 320 may be input to
the control unit 370. For example, the control unit 370 may control
demultiplexing and video/audio signal processing, and may also control
video output through the display unit 380 and audio output through the
audio output unit 385.

[0079] The external interface unit 335 provides the digital receiver 300
with an interface environment for a variety of external devices. To this
end, the external interface unit 335 may include an A/V input/output unit
(not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).

[0080] The external interface unit 335 may be connected to an external
device, such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a Blu-ray, a game device,
a camera, a camcorder, a computer (e.g., a laptop computer), or the like,
in a wired or wireless manner. The external interface unit 335 transmits
a video, audio, or data signal externally input through the external
device connected thereto, to the control unit 370 of the digital
receiver. Also, the external interface unit 335 may output the video,
audio or data signal processed by the control unit 370 to the external
device. To this end, the external interface unit 335 may further include
an A/V input/output unit or a wireless communication unit (not shown).

[0081] The A/V input/output unit may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
terminal, a CVBS terminal, a component terminal, an S-video terminal
(analog), a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) terminal, a High Definition
Multimedia Interface (HDMI) terminal, an RGB terminal, and a D-SUB
terminal, for example, to input video and audio signals of the external
device to the digital receiver 300.

[0082] The wireless communication unit may perform a short range wireless
communication with other electronic appliances. For example, network
connection between the digital receiver 300 and other electronic
appliances may be realized via a communication protocol, such as
Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared Data
Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Digital Living Network
Alliance (DLNA), and the like.

[0083] In addition, the external interface unit 335 may be connected to
various set-top boxes through at least one of the above mentioned various
terminals, and may perform an input/output operation with the set-top
boxes.

[0084] The external interface unit 335 may receive an application or an
application list from an adjacent external device, and may transmit the
same to the control unit 370 or the storage unit 340.

[0085] The network interface unit 330 provides an interface for connecting
the digital receiver 300 to a wired or wireless network including an
Internet network. The network interface unit 330 may include an Ethernet
terminal, for example, for wired network connection, or may use a
communication standard, such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
(Wi-Fi), Wireless broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave
Access (Wimax), and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), for
example, for wireless network connection.

[0086] The network interface unit 330 may transmit or receive data to and
from other users or other electronic appliances through a network
connected thereto or another network linked on the connected network. In
particular, the network interface unit 330 may transmit a part of content
data stored in the digital receiver 300 to a selected one of other users
previously registered in the digital receiver 300 or a selected one of
other electronic appliances previously registered in the digital receiver
300.

[0087] The network interface unit 330 may access a predetermined Web page
through a network connected thereto or another network linked on the
connected network. That is, the network interface unit 330 may transmit
or receive data to or from a corresponding server by accessing the
predetermined Web page through the network. Additionally, the network
interface unit 330 may receive content or data provided by a content
provider or a network manager. More specifically, the network interface
unit 330 may receive content, such as movies, advertisements, games, VOD,
and broadcast signals, for example, and associated information provided
by a content provider or a network manager through a network. In
addition, the network interface unit 330 may receive update information
and update files of firmware provided by a network manager, and may
transmit data to the Internet, a content provider or a network manager.

[0088] The network interface unit 330 may select and receive a desired
application among multiple applications that are open to the public
through a network.

[0089] In the above description of FIGS. 2 and 3, the network interface
unit 330, for example, may transmit and receive service data via
communication with a server or Cloud that will be described hereinafter.

[0090] The storage unit 340 may store a program for processing and
controlling each signal of the control unit 370, or may store the
processed video, audio or data signal.

[0091] Also, the storage unit 340 may function to temporarily store the
video, audio or data signal input from the external interface unit 335 or
the network interface unit 330. The storage unit 340 may store
information on a predetermined broadcast channel through a channel memory
function.

[0092] The storage unit 340 may store an application or an application
list input from the external interface unit 335 or the network interface
unit 330. Additionally, the storage unit 340 may store various platforms
that will be described hereinafter.

[0093] For example, the storage unit 340 may include a storage medium of
at least one type of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia
card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM
and ROM (for example, EEPROM). The digital receiver 300 may play a
content file (for example, a moving picture file, a still image file, a
music file, a text file, and an application file) stored in the storage
unit 340 to provide the played content file to a user.

[0094] Although FIG. 3 shows the embodiment in which the storage unit 340
and the control unit 370 are provided separately, the scope of the
invention is not limited to the embodiment of FIG. 3. The storage unit
340 may be included in the control unit 370.

[0095] The user input interface 350 may transmit a signal input by a user
to the control unit 370, or may transmit a signal input from the control
unit 370 to the user.

[0096] For example, the user input interface unit 350 may receive and
process a control signal, such as power on/off, channel selection, and
screen setup, for example, from a remote controller 400 in accordance
with various communication modes, such as an RF communication mode and IR
communication mode, for example. Alternatively, the user input interface
unit 350 may transmit a control signal from the control unit 370 to the
remote controller 400.

[0097] Also, the user input interface unit 350 may transmit a control
signal input by a local key, such as a power key, a channel key, a volume
key, and a setup key, to the control unit 370.

[0098] The user input interface unit 350 may transmit a control signal
input by a sensing unit (not shown), which senses a user gesture, to the
control unit 370, or may transmit the signal from the control unit 370 to
the sensing unit (not shown). In this case, the sensing unit (not shown)
may include a touch sensor, an audio sensor, a position sensor, and an
action sensor, for example.

[0099] The control unit 370 may demultiplex a stream input through the
tuner 310, the demodulator 320 or the external device interface 335, or
may process the demultiplexed signal to generate and output a signal for
a video and audio output.

[0100] The video signal processed by the control unit 370 may be input to
the display unit 380 and be displayed as a corresponding image. Also, the
video signal processed by the control unit 370 may be input to an
external output device through the external interface unit 335.

[0101] The audio signal processed by the control unit 370 may be output to
the audio output unit 385. Also, the audio signal processed by the
control unit 370 may be input to an external output device through the
external interface unit 335.

[0102] Although not illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 370 may
include a demultiplexer and a video processor, for example.

[0103] The control unit 370 may control the overall operations of the
digital receiver 300. For example, the control unit 370 may control the
tuner 310, so as to tune an RF broadcast signal corresponding to a
user-selected channel or a pre-stored channel.

[0104] The control unit 370 may control the digital receiver 300 in
response to a user command input through the user input interface 3050,
or using a program stored therein. In particular, the control unit 370
may access a network, and download an application or an application list
selected by a user to the digital receiver 300.

[0105] In one example, the control unit 370 controls the tuner 310 so as
to receive a signal of a channel selected in response to a specific
channel selection command received through the user input interface unit
350. Then, the control unit 370 processes an audio, video or data signal
of the selected channel. The control unit 370 may also output, for
example, information on the user-selected channel as well as the
processed video or audio signal to the display unit 380 or the audio
output unit 385.

[0106] In another example, the control unit 370 may output a video or
audio signal input from an external device, such as, for example, a
camera or a camcorder through the external interface unit 335 to the
display unit 380 or the audio output unit 385 in response to an external
device video playback command received through the user input interface
350.

[0107] The control unit 370 may control the display unit 380 to display an
image. For example, the control unit 370 may control the display unit 380
so as to display a broadcast image received from the tuner 310, an
externally input image received through the external interface unit 335,
an image received through the network interface unit 330, or an image
stored in the storage unit 340. In this case, the image displayed on the
display unit 380 may be a 2-Dimensional (2D) or 3-Dimensional (3D) still
image or moving image.

[0108] Additionally, the control unit 370 may control content playback.
Here, the content may be content stored in the digital receiver 300,
received broadcasting content, or externally input content. The content
may include at least one of a broadcast image, an externally input image,
an audio file, a still image, an accessed Web page, and a text file.

[0109] In the case of entering an application view item, the control unit
370 may control display of an application or an application list that is
stored in the digital receiver 300 or that is downloadable from an
external network.

[0110] The control unit 370 may control installation and driving of an
application downloaded from an external network in addition to various
user interfaces. Also, the control unit 370 may control the display unit
380 to display an image associated with an application that is executed
by user selection.

[0111] Although not illustrated in the drawings, a channel browsing
processor to produce a thumbnail image corresponding to a channel signal
or an externally input signal may be further provided.

[0112] The channel browsing processor may receive, for example, a stream
signal output from the demodulator 320 or a stream signal output from the
external interface unit 335, extract an image from the received stream
signal, and produce a thumbnail image. The produced thumbnail image may
be directly input to the control unit 370, or may be input after being
encoded. Also, the produced thumbnail image may be encoded into a stream
and input to the control unit 370. The control unit 3070 may control the
display unit 380 to display a thumbnail list consisting of a plurality of
input thumbnail images. The thumbnail images within the thumbnail list
may be updated sequentially or simultaneously. As such, a user can
readily identify content of a plurality of broadcasting channels.

[0113] The display unit 380 converts the video signal, data signal and OSD
signal processed by the control unit 370 or the video signal and data
signal received from the external interface unit 335 to R, G, B signals,
respectively, to generate driving signals.

[0114] The display unit 380 may be selected from among a Plasma Display
Panel (PDP), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitting
Diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a 3D display, for example.

[0115] The display unit 380 may take the form of a touchscreen. In this
case, the display unit 380 may serve not only an output device, but also
an input device.

[0116] The audio output unit 385 receives a signal audio-processed by the
control unit 370, for example, a stereo signal, a 3.1 channel signal or a
5.1 channel signal, and outputs the received signal as sound. Various
types of speakers may be used as the audio output unit 385.

[0117] To sense a user gesture, as described above, the digital receiver
300 may further include a sensing unit (not shown) that includes at least
one of a touch sensor, an audio sensor, a position sensor, and an action
sensor. The signal sensed by the sensing unit (not shown) may be
transmitted to the control unit 370 through the user input interface unit
350.

[0118] The digital receiver 300 may further include an image capturing
unit (not shown) to capture an image of a user. Image information taken
by the image capturing unit (not shown) may be input to the control unit
370.

[0119] The control unit 370 may sense a user gesture by using the image
captured by the image capturing unit (not shown) and the signal sensed
from the sensing unit (not shown), respectively or in combination.

[0120] The power supply unit 390 is provided to supply corresponding power
to the entire digital receiver 300.

[0121] In particular, the power supply unit 390 may supply power to the
control unit 370 that may be realized in a System on Chip (SOC) form, the
display unit 380 for image display, and the audio output unit 385 for
audio output.

[0122] To this end, the power supply unit 390 may include a converter (not
shown) that converts AC power to DC power. For example, if the display
unit 380 takes the form of a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of
backlight lamps, it may further include an inverter (not shown) that is
operable in a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) manner for brightness change
or dimming driving.

[0123] The remote controller 400 transmits a user input to the user input
interface unit 350. To this end, the remote controller 400 may use
Bluetooth, RF communication, IR communication, UWB, ZigBee, and the like.

[0124] Also, the remote controller 400 may receive the video signal, audio
signal or data signal output from the user input interface 350 to display
the received signal or output sound or vibration.

[0125] The above described digital receiver 300 may be a fixed type or
mobile type digital broadcast receiver that can process ATSC mode or DVB
mode digital broadcast signals.

[0126] The digital receiver illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided
according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the
respective components thereof may be incorporated, added or omitted
depending on options of the digital receiver which is actually
implemented. In other words, two or more components may be incorporated
into one component, or one component may be divided into two or more
components, as necessary. Also, the function performed by each block is
intended for description of the embodiment of the invention, and its
detailed action or device does not limit the scope of the invention.

[0127] In addition, the digital receiver according to the present
invention may further include some components not illustrated in FIG. 2
or may omit some components illustrated in FIG. 2 as necessary. Unlike
the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the digital receiver may
receive and play content through the network interface or the external
interface unit without the tuner and the demodulator.

[0128] The digital receiver is an example of an image signal processor
that performs signal processing of an image stored therein or an input
image. Other examples of the image signal processor include a set-top box
that excludes the display unit 380 and the audio output unit 385, the
aforementioned DVD player, a blu-ray player, a game device, and a
computer, as well as others. Among the aforementioned examples, the
set-top box will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 4 and
5.

[0129] FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams illustrating a detailed
configuration of other examples of a digital receiver according to the
present invention.

[0130] First, referring to FIG. 4, a set-top box 450 and a display device
500 may perform transmission or reception of data in a wired or wireless
manner.

[0132] The network interface unit 455 provides an interface for connection
with a wired or wireless network including an Internet network. The
network interface unit 455 may enable data transmission/reception with
other users or other appliances through a connected network or other
networks linked on the connected network.

[0133] The storage unit 458 may store data for processing and control of
each signal within the signal processing unit 460. The storage unit 458
may temporarily storage a video signal, an audio signal or a data signal
input from the external interface unit 465 or the network interface unit
455.

[0134] The signal processing unit 460 performs processing of an input
signal. For example, the signal processing unit 460 may perform
demultiplexing or decoding of a video signal or an audio signal, for
example. To this end, the signal processing unit 460 may include a video
decoder and/or an audio decoder. The signal processing unit 460 may
transmit a processed video signal and/or audio signal to the display
device 500 through the external interface unit 465.

[0135] The user input interface unit 463 may transmit a user input signal
to the signal processing unit 460 or a signal of the signal processing
unit 460 to a user. For example, the user input interface unit 463 may
receive various control signals, such as a power on/off signal, an
operation input signal, and a setup signal, for example, input through a
local key (not shown) or the remote controller 400, and transmit the
received signal to the signal processing unit 460.

[0136] The external interface unit 465 provides an interface for
transmission or reception of data with an external device connected
thereto in a wired or wireless manner. In particular, the external
interface unit 465 provides an interface for transmission or reception of
data with the display device 500. The external interface unit 465 may
provide an interface for transmission or reception of data with the
external device, such as a game device, a camera, a camcorder, a computer
(e.g., a laptop computer), or the like.

[0137] The set-top box 450 may further include a media input unit (not
shown) for media playback. One example of the media input unit may
include a Blu-ray input unit (not shown). That is, the set-top box 450
may include a Blu-ray player. An input medium, such as, for example, a
Blu-ray disc, may be subjected to signal processing, such as
demultiplexing or decoding, in the signal processing unit 460, and the
resulting signal may be transmitted to the display device 500 through the
external interface unit 465 so as to be displayed on the display device
500.

[0138] The display device 500 may include a tuner 470, an external
interface unit 473, a demodulator 475, a storage unit 478, a control unit
480, a user input interface unit 483, a display unit 490, and an audio
output unit 495.

[0139] The tuner 470, the demodulator 475, the storage unit 478, the
control unit 480, the user input interface unit 483, the display unit
490, and the audio output unit 495 correspond to the tuner 310, the
demodulator 320, the storage unit 340, the control unit 370, the user
input interface unit 350, the display unit 380, and the audio output unit
385 as described above in FIG. 3, and thus a description thereof will be
replaced by the above description of FIG. 3 and will hereinafter not be
described in detail.

[0140] The external interface unit 473 provides an interface for
transmission or reception of data with an external device connected
thereto in a wired or wireless manner. In particular, the external
interface unit 473 provides an interface for transmission or reception of
data with the set-top box 450.

[0141] As such, a video signal or an audio signal input through the
set-top box 450 passes through the control unit 470 and is output from
the display unit 490 or the audio output unit 485.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 5, although the set-top box 450 and the display
device 500 are substantially equal to the set-top box 450 and the display
device 500 illustrated in FIG. 4, the tuner 470 and the demodulator 475
are mounted in the set-top box 450 rather than being mounted in the
display device 500 unlike the illustration of FIG. 4. Hereinafter, a
repeated description will be replaced by the above description, and only
differences will be described.

[0143] The signal processing unit 460 performs processing of a broadcast
signal received through the tuner 470 and the demodulator 475. The user
input interface unit 463 receives an input with respect to channel
selection and channel storage, for example.

[0144]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of internal
components of the control unit illustrated in FIG. 3. A description with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 6 is as follows.

[0145] An example of a control unit 670 according to the present invention
may include a demultiplexer 610, an image processor 620, an On-Screen
Display (OSD) generator 640, a mixer 650, a Frame Rate Converter (FRC)
655, and a formatter 660. The control unit 670 may further include an
audio processor (not shown) and a data processor (not shown).

[0146] The demultiplexer 610 serves to demultiplex an input stream. For
example, the demultiplexer 610 may demultiplex an input MPEG-2 TS into a
video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal. Here, the stream signal
input to the demultiplexer 610 may be a stream signal output from the
tuner 310, the demodulator 320, or the external interface unit 335.

[0147] The video processor 620 processes the demultiplexed video signal.
To this end, the video processor 620 may include a video decoder 625 and
a scaler 635.

[0148] The video decoder 625 decodes the demultiplexed video signal, and
the scaler 635 scales a resolution of the decoded video signal so that
the video signal can be displayed on the display unit 380.

[0149] The video decoder 625 may operate based on various standards. For
example, the video decoder 625 may function as an MPEG-2 decoder if the
video signal is an MPEG-2 encoded video signal. Also, the video decoder
625 may function as an H.264 decoder if the video signal is a Digital
Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or H.264 encoded signal.

[0150] The video signal decoded by the video processor 620 is input to the
mixer 650.

[0151] The OSD generator 640 generates OSD data autonomously or in
response to a user input. For example, the OSD generator 640 generates
data, by which a variety of data is displayed as graphics or text on a
screen of the display unit 380, based on a control signal of the user
input interface unit 350. The generated OSD data includes various data,
such as a UI screen of the digital receiver 300, a variety of menu
screens, widgets, icons, and information on an audience rating, for
example.

[0152] The OSD generator 640 may generate data, by which subtitles are
displayed for a broadcast image or EPG-based broadcasting information.

[0153] The mixer 650 may mix the video signal processed by the video
processor 620 with the OSD data generated by the OSD generator 640, and
output the mixed signal to the formatter 660. As the decoded video signal
is mixed with the OSD data, an OSD may be overlaid on the broadcast image
or the externally input image.

[0154] The FRC 655 may change the frame rate of an input image. For
example, the FRC 655 may change a frame rate of 60 Hz of an input image
into a frame rate of 120 or 240 Hz according to an output frequency of
the display unit 380. As described above, a variety of methods to change
the frame rate may be used. In one example, if the frame rate is to be
changed from 60 Hz to 120 Hz, the FRC 655 may insert a first frame
between the first frame and a second frame, or may insert a third frame
predicted from the first and second frames.

[0155] In another example, if the frame rate is to be changed from 60 Hz
to 240 Hz, the FRC 655 may insert three identical frames or three
predicted frames between the existing frames. It is also possible to
bypass the FRC 655 when frame rate change is not performed.

[0156] The formatter 660 changes the output of the FRC 655 to suit the
output format of the display unit 380. For example, the formatter 660 may
output R, G and B data signals. The R, G, and B data signals may be
output in the form of a Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) or
mini-LVDS. Also, if the FRC 655 outputs a 3D video signal, the formatter
660 converts the 3D video signal into a 3D signal to suit the output
format of the display unit 380, thereby assisting a 3D service via the
display unit 380.

[0157] The audio processor (not shown) of the control unit 670 may process
the demultiplexed audio signal. The audio processor (not shown) may be
configured to process a variety of audio formats. For example, if the
audio signal is encoded into an MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AAC, HE-AAC, AC-3, and
BSAC format, the audio processor (not shown) may include corresponding
decoders to process the respective encoded signals.

[0158] The audio processor (not shown) within the control unit 670 may
also adjust the base, treble, and volume of the audio signal.

[0159] The data processor (not shown) within the control unit 670 may
process the demultiplexed data signal. For example, if the demultiplexed
data signal is an encoded data signal, the data processor may decode the
encoded data signal. Here, the encoded data signal may include Electronic
Program Guide (EPG) information, which includes broadcast information
specifying, for example, the start time and end time of scheduled
broadcast programs of each channel.

[0160] The control unit 670 illustrated in FIG. 6 is given by way of
example, and other components may be added or some of the illustrated
components may be omitted according to the needs of those skilled in the
art.

[0161]FIG. 7 is a view illustrating remote controllers of a digital
receiver according to the present invention.

[0162] According to embodiments, to perform various operations for
implementation of the present invention, various User Interface Devices
(UIDs) that can perform wired or wireless communication with a digital
receiver 700 may be used as a remote controller. In addition to the user
interface devices only for the digital receiver 700, other portable
devices, such as smart phones and tablet PCs, for example, may be used as
a remote controller.

[0163] The remote controller may use various communication standards, such
as Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared Data
Association (IrDA), UWB, ZigBee, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA),
and the like.

[0164] The user interface devices may include a typical remote controller
710, a magic remote controller 720, and a remote controller 730 equipped
with a keyboard and a touch pad, for example.

[0165] The magic remote controller 740 may be internally equipped with a
gyro sensor therein to detect trembling or rotation of the hand. That is,
the magic remote controller 740 may move a pointer as a user moves the
magic remote controller 740 up and down, side to side, and back and
forth, which assists the user in easily performing a desired operation,
for example, in easily controlling a channel or a menu.

[0166] In the case of the remote controller 730 equipped with a keyboard
and a touch pad, the keyboard facilitates easy input of text, and the
touch pad facilitates easy movement of the pointer and control in the
expansion and reduction of pictures or moving images.

[0167] To receive information on an EPG, thumbnail image, channel browser,
and viewing rate, for example, according to the present invention, a user
may easily perform various operations, such as selection of a particular
menu item, for example, via the aforementioned various user interface
devices.

[0168] Hereinafter, various embodiments of a service system and a method
of processing a service in a digital receiver according to the present
invention will be described in more detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.

[0169] To provide a further understanding of the present invention and
convenience of explanation, a service will be described as a SNS herein
by way of example. Accordingly, a digital receiver, for example, includes
a smart-TV or a social-TV that provides an SNS. Meanwhile, in the present
invention, an SNS provided by the digital receiver will be described as
classified into an open SNS and a closed SNS. It is noted that this
illustration and division or classification is given to provide a further
understanding of the present invention and convenience of explanation and
the present invention is not limited to embodiments that will be
described hereinafter.

[0170] To use an SNS via a digital receiver, for example, a user typically
has to execute an application for an SNS stored in the digital receiver
or after downloading the corresponding application, and then to perform
service admission and log-in procedures. Additionally, to, access a data
exchange space established within the SNS in relation to content (for
example, a chat group as a subordinate structure of an SNS), the user has
to perform a search procedure after the aforementioned procedures. Even
in this case, if a plurality of data exchange spaces is established and a
sufficient amount of search information is not provided, significant time
and effort are required to access a desired data exchange space. This may
result in user dissatisfaction and inconvenience with respect to use of
an SNS.

[0171] To solve the above described problem, the present invention is
devised to assist a user in more easily and conveniently accessing and
using an SNS using a digital receiver even without performing the
aforementioned troublesome procedures, such as execution of an SNS
application, service admission and log-in procedures. Here, the SNS may
be referred to as all SNSs linked to or not linked to content. Content is
referred to as all services and/or applications that can be driven or
realized by a digital receiver, such as broadcast services, games, and
external inputs, for example. In conclusion, differently from a
conventional SNS providing method in which a digital receiver provides a
service UI, a screen, or the like that is associated with an SNS
application if the user calls and executes the corresponding SNS
application, the present invention relates to a service system and a
method of providing a service in a digital receiver, which allows a user
who does not join an SNS or even a member of the corresponding SNS to
more rapidly and conveniently use content and an SNS linked to the
content even without executing an application for the corresponding SNS
and/or performing the log-in procedure.

[0172] As described above, to provide a further understanding of the
present invention and convenience of explanation, an open SNS and a
closed SNS will hereinafter be described respectively.

[0173] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a service
providing method to provide information on content to, for example, a
service guide may provide an area of a digital receiver with an SNS
linked to the corresponding content, thereby assisting the user in more
easily and conveniently using the corresponding content. Here, using the
content, for example, may include watching, playback, recording and
recording reservation of the corresponding content.

[0174] Meanwhile, in the present invention, although the SNS is an SNS
linked to content, an SNS to be executed may not be a data exchange space
with respect to content. For example, a data exchange space with respect
to content may be referred to as an open SNS, and the converse case may
be referred to as a closed SNS. This will hereinafter be described in
more detail. An SNS according to the present invention may be provided
based on various references, such as users of the same content, open chat
in relation to common interest content, closed chat in relation to
personal interest content, genre, sex, age, content, viewing rate,
rating, time, channel, broadcast station, manufacturer, friend, and
series, for example. In this case, although the aforementioned references
may individually be a reference for provision of an SNS, two or more of
the references may be combined to serve as a reference as necessary.

[0175] Even if a digital receiver is not set such that an SNS is driven
simultaneously with content playback via, for example, the service guide
as described above, the digital receiver may provide a user with, for
example, a text or an alarm indicating that an SNS provided in relation
to content that is being played back is present or is newly open, or that
a friend turns on his/her digital receiver or invites a user while the
user uses the corresponding SNS. For convenience of access, the digital
receiver may adopt the same access method as in the above described
service guide. For example, the digital receiver may provide identifier
information, such as temporary log-in information for access to an SNS.

[0176] Meanwhile, the digital receiver may provide functions of an SNS,
such as friend registration, invitation, and message service, for
example, in relation to a user who uses the corresponding SNS. In this
case, assuming that an SNS is provided in an area of the digital
receiver, the digital receiver may automatically execute an associated
User Interface (UI), such as an emoticon and a keyboard image, for
example, for convenience of use.

[0177] In the present invention, the digital receiver is not limited to a
fixed digital broadcast receiver, and may be linked to a mobile device,
such as, a smart-phone or tablet PC, for example. Assuming that the
digital receiver is a TV and a user attempts to watch the TV while using
an SNS via a mobile device, the TV may provide a window for automatic
execution and/or log-in of an application for the SNS used in the mobile
device or for execution of another SNS in response to a user request. In
this case, the TV may display all data previously used in the mobile
device and provide an associated UI. The user may use the SNS executed in
the TV while continuously using the mobile device as input means. Also,
the mobile device may end the SNS and only the TV may drive the
corresponding SNS.

[0178] If change in the playback or execution of content occurs during use
of an SNS linked to the content according to the present invention, a
question of handling of the SNS being driven may be raised. For example,
the occurrence of change may refer to, the case in which an SNS has been
used during execution of a game application and thereafter the game
application is terminating, the case in which a user shuts down a
broadcast program, and the case in which change in the status of content,
such as channel switching, occurs. In one example, it is assumed that
content is a broadcast program. In this case, if the user switches a
channel during use of an SNS linked to a broadcast program while watching
the broadcast program, it is necessary to determine whether or not to
continuously provide the SNS that is currently used even in a switched
channel or to terminate provision of the SNS. Further, if even the
switched channel provides a new SNS, a question of handling of the
existing SNS may be raised. In the aforementioned cases, different
solutions may be proposed between an open SNS and a closed SNS. For
example, in the case of an open SNS, the digital receiver may provide an
inquiry about whether or not to terminate an SNS that has been executed
in a previous channel and/or an inquiry as to whether or not to
participate in an SNS that is provided in a switched channel and/or an
execution UI, thereby providing an SNS based on user selection. However,
since it is likely that the user is simply searching channels or
erroneously switches a channel, the SNS may be passively executed based
on user selection. If the switched channel is maintained for a
predetermined time or more, the digital receiver may automatically or
manually provide an inquiry about whether or not to maintain the
previously activated SNS, or may terminate or switch the SNS. On the
other hand, in the case of a closed SNS, the digital receiver may
directly use identification information of a previous channel, or may
request new identification information to a server when automatically
coming in an SNS activated in a switched channel.

[0179] Meanwhile, if a plurality of SNSs is linked to single content or an
SNS contains a plurality of data exchange spaces, a question of handling
of this situation may be raised. To handle this situation, in one
example, the digital receiver or the server may provide each SNS or each
data exchange space with data sorted based on a reference, such as a
participation rate, the number of participants, the degree of activation,
the presence of friends, and the presence of a theme, for example. As
such, the user may manually select an SNS or a data exchange space based
on the aforementioned information, or the digital receiver or the server
may automatically select and provide an SNS or a data exchange space in
consideration of tendency of a user previously stored therein.

[0180] Additionally, the digital receiver may simultaneously provide a
plurality of SNSs or a plurality of data exchange spaces established in
an SNS during use of content. For example, as described above, the
digital receiver may simultaneously or successively provide the open SNS
and the closed SNS, and may provide only high rank spaces among a
plurality of data exchange spaces established in an SNS linked to content
based on the aforementioned reference.

[0181] The method of providing a service in the digital receiver according
to the present invention may use an open API that is basically provided
by a service providing enterprise, a server, and the like. The open API
is used in the closed SNS as well as the open SNS that will be described
below.

[0182] Hereinafter, first, the service system associated with provision of
a service according to the present invention will be described. As
described above, provision of a service according to the present
invention may be accomplished via a service guide. In this case,
basically, the service guide, thumbnail images, and channel browsers, and
the like (hereinafter, commonly referred to as a service guide for
convenience) may be provided via the service system that will be
described hereinafter. Of course, the service according to the present
invention may also be provided via the service system that will be
described hereinafter.

[0183] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a service
system according to the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a service
system that processes a service, such as an SNS, a service guide, a
thumbnail image, a channel browser, and information on viewing rate, for
example. In this case, for convenience of explanation, the service system
will be described as providing an EPG service by way of example, and
handling of an SNS will be described in detail in the corresponding part
of the specification.

[0184] A digital receiver 820 may configure and provide an EPG by
receiving EPG data as one example of service information from a broadcast
station 810. Alternatively, the digital receiver 820 may configure and
provide an EPG by receiving EPG data from an EPG server 830 that serves
as an EPG data source.

[0185] In the former case, the EPG data is, for example, transmitted in
the form of service information or system information (SI) included in a
digital broadcast signal that is received from the digital receiver 820
through a tuned channel. The service information, for example, may
include a Service Description Table (SDT) and Event Information Table
(EIT) in the case of a DVB system, and may include PSI/PSIP information,
such as a Program Association Table (PAT), Program Map Table (PMT),
Virtual Channel Table (VCT), EIT, and the like in the case of an ATSC
system. The digital receiver 820 parses the received service information,
and configures an EPG based on the parsed data so as to provide a
service. However, it is likely that the service information transmitted
from the broadcast station 810 is not sufficient to provide the
corresponding service, and there is a limit to the quality of a service
because the digital receiver should perform tuning of a corresponding
channel and due to a limit to tunable channels.

[0186] In the latter case, the external server 830 is an individual EPG
service server, and provides additional EPG data distinguished from or
not provided by the service information of the broadcast station 810 or
various other data related to prime time or prime program. However, the
resulting service may require an individual contract and be a pay service
in most cases, and may require basic EPG data.

[0187] As described above, the digital receiver 820 may receive EPG
service data transmitted from the broadcast station 810 or the EPG server
830 to provide the data to the user, or may receive EPG service data from
both the broadcast station 810 and the EPG server 830 to provide the
combined EPG data to the user.

[0188]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a service
system according to the present invention.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 9, the service system according to the present
invention may basically include a broadcast station 905, a digital
receiver 910, and a first server 915. Here, the first server 915, for
example, may be a server that is provided by a manufacturer of the
digital receiver 910. The first server 915 may include a control unit
920, an SNS module 925, a crawler module 930, a search module 940, a
processor 950, databases 960 and 970, and a search engine 980, for
example. The service system may further include, for example, a second
server 990 for providing an EPG and/or an SNS as described above.
Although FIG. 9 illustrates the single second server 990, the second
server 990 may be a combination of an EPG providing server and an SNS
providing server separately provided. Meanwhile, although the service
system of FIG. 9 is illustrated as including only components required for
explanation of the present invention, some of the components may be
omitted or other components may be added as necessary. Also, some of the
illustrated components may be integrated into a single module, or a
single component may consist of a plurality of modules. In addition,
although the SNS module 925 may be provided, for example, as a separate
module as illustrated, in relation to the present invention, the SNS
module 925 may be integrated with the control unit 920 or the crawler
module 930.

[0190] As described above, the digital receiver 910 may receive EPG data
from service information (SI) contained in a digital broadcast signal
received from the broadcast station 905 and/or from the second server
990. However, EPG data received from the broadcast station 905 or EPG
data provided by the EPG information provider 990 has low channel or
service coverage on a per local area basis (about less than 50%), and
therefore the digital receiver 910 has a difficulty in providing the user
with an EPG service faithful to an actual broadcast environment. In other
words, the single digital receiver cannot provide an accurate EPG service
sufficient to meet a user demand due to low service coverage and
insufficient metadata thereof even when acquiring EPG data as described
above.

[0191] Accordingly, as described above herein, to complement a shortcoming
that the broadcast station 905 and/or the second server 990 are
practically insufficient to meet a user demand for an EPG service, the
first server 915 is devised to provide an EPG service by collecting EPG
data of each digital receiver and storing and managing the collected data
in a database.

[0192] In other words, differently from a conventional digital receiver,
according to the present invention, the first server 915 may collect EPG
data from a plurality of digital receivers within the same service list
and/or combine EPG data of the second server 990, and may transmit the
acquired EPG data to the digital receivers, so as to provide an advanced
EPG service containing the latest update information within a short time.

[0193] In the present invention, when the aforementioned advanced EPG
service is transmitted from the first server 915 to the digital receiver
910, as described above, information to provide an SNS linked to content
may also be transmitted. Here, the information to provide an SNS linked
to content, for example, includes identifier information as access
information to provide an SNS linked to content according to the present
invention. In addition to the identifier information, the information may
further include detailed information on the corresponding SNS and/or
other additional information. The identifier information includes, for
example, log-in information. In other words, the first server 915
generates SNS information associated with, for example, an EPG service to
be provided to the digital receiver 910 through the SNS module 925. The
first server 915 generates, for example, a data exchange space for an SNS
linked to content and also generates various information on the data
exchange space. Here, the SNS may be, for example, a general broadly
known SNS or an SNS provided by a manufacturer. In the case of the
former, for example, the first server 915 may generate a data exchange
space for provision of an SNS via communication with a corresponding SNS
server, and then generate identifier information on the data exchange
space, although the first server 915 may autonomously generate the data
exchange space and the information. Alternatively, the first server 915
may take charge of only connection and transmission among all the above
described SNS associated operations, and generation of all information
including the identifier information may be performed by the external SNS
server 990.

[0194] Hereinafter, the service system and the method of providing the EPG
service in the digital receiver 910 according to the present invention
will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a
flowchart illustrating an example of a method of providing a service in a
digital broadcast system according to the present invention.

[0195] To provide an EPG service according to the present invention, the
digital device 910 performs a registration procedure by communicating
with the first server 915. For example, the digital receiver 910
initially transmits device information thereof to the first server 915
(S1002), and receives a setting value based on the transmitted device
information, i.e. a service-list-set-ID from the first server 915
(S1004). Here, the device information includes a device country, receiver
type, and service list, for example. The device country may be Korea
(KR), Germany (DE), or England (UK), for example. The receiver type may
mean terrestrial, cable, satellite, and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), for
example. The service list may include at least one of a list of services
or channels that can be accessed by the digital receiver through
auto-scan, 3-ID, and service name.

[0196] The 3-ID includes, for example, an original network identifier, a
transport stream identifier, and a service identifier. The 3-ID may
serve, independently or along with the service name, as a reference group
or a super-set that is used when the first server 915 collects, combines
and processes service data received from each digital receiver. The first
server 915 configures a group with reference to the 3-ID and/or the
service name. An identifier to identify each group is a
service-list-set-ID. As such, the first server 915 may sort and group
service data received from the digital receiver, and thereafter acquire
various latest service data. Of course, in this case, service data of the
external EPG provider 990 may also be collected and stored. Meanwhile,
although the group may be called a super-set, the group may include at
least two super-sets as subordinate groups when it is necessary to sort
the group into the subordinate groups based on, for example, a service
name in the group. For example, the digital receiver 910 may transmit a
service list containing device information, such as a device country of
UK, a receiver type of DVB-T, and 3-ID, i.e. dvb://233a.2f.1, to the
first server 915. Here, "233a" may mean an original network identifier,
"2f" may mean a transport stream identifier, and "1" may mean a service
identifier.

[0197] In addition to the above described device information, the digital
receiver 910 may further transmit, for example, at least one of device
type information such as a model number or model name of a corresponding
device, device language information such as language provided by or used
in the corresponding device, and user ID information previously
registered in the first server 915 to the first server 915.

[0198] The first server 915 determines whether or not the corresponding
digital receiver 910 is within a super-set or group based on the device
information transmitted from the digital receiver 910, and transmits
identification information of the corresponding super-set or group, i.e.
a service-list-set-ID to the digital receiver 910 based on the determined
result.

[0199] The service-list-set-ID may function as communication information
or identification information between the digital receiver 910 and the
first server 915. In other words, after the digital receiver 910 and the
first server 915 complete mutual recognition via the above described
procedure, the service-list-set-ID is used in a substantial service data
transmission/reception procedure, such as, for example, updating of EPG
service data from each digital receiver to the first server 915 or
reception of EPG service data from the first server 915.

[0200] Herein, the service-list-set-ID is a value that is used to sort a
bundle of service lists, i.e. super-sets or groups in the case in which
the first server 915 manages EPG data on a per service list basis. In a
general case, as described above, the super-sets or groups may be
configured by two kinds of device information, i.e. a device country and
a receiver type. For example, in the case of Europe, if 3-ID is equally
used in one country on a per receiver type basis, the service lists may
be regarded as the same service and may be within the same super-set or
group.

[0201] Thereafter, each digital receiver transmits and/or updates the
service list containing EPG service data to the first server 915 (S1006).
Here, the service list may include the 3-ID and/or the
service-list-set-ID received from the first server 915 except for the EPG
service data. Additionally, the service list may include SI data received
from the broadcast station or various information provided by each
receiver, and may transmit the SI data and information separately or as
be included in the EPG service data. For example, the service list may
further include service type information on each content (SD/HD/3D) and
language information on the corresponding content (e.g., Korean, English,
Spanish and Germany) under the assumption that the information are
transmitted along with the EPG service data. The service list may further
include information on a program title, start time, end time, duration,
rating, and genre, for example, for transmission and reception of the
information. In addition, the service list may include language
information associated with a corresponding program, video resolution, AV
type, and the presence of captioning.

[0202] The EPG service data is read from the service information included
in the digital broadcast signal transmitted from the digital receiver 910
to the broadcast station 905. As described above, the service information
containing the EPG service data includes, for example, an SDT and service
event, i.e. a program EIT in the case of DVB terrestrial. In other words,
the digital receiver 910 extracts data for configuring an EPG service by
parsing an SDT and an EIT from the digital broadcast signal, and stores
the extracted data in a storage unit. Then, the digital receiver 910
transmits the service list, which includes at least one of the EPG
service data stored as described above and the 3-ID and the
service-list-set-identifier as described above, to the first server 915.

[0203] In Operation S1006, each digital receiver may transmit the EPG
service data to the first server 915.

[0204] The first server 915 may receive and process the EPG service data
provided from each digital receiver. Upon processing, the EPG service
data of the external EPG provider 990 may be used. However, if collision
between the respective EPG service data occurs upon processing, the SI
information may have a priority.

[0205] Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the EPG service data in the
first server 915 will be described in detail.

[0206] If the device information of each digital device is received in
Operation S1002 as described above, the control unit 920 transmits the
received device information to the crawler module 930. The crawler module
930 configures super-sets having the same service list based on the
device information of each digital device, and returns an identifier of
the configured super-sets, i.e., a service-list-set-ID to the control
unit 920. Alternatively, the control unit 920 may determine the
super-list-set-ID based on the device information.

[0207] The control unit 920 returns the service-list-set-identifier
returned from the crawler module 930 to the corresponding digital
receiver.

[0208] If the control unit 920 receives the EPG service data from each
digital receiver after the service-list-set-identifier has been returned
to the digital receiver, the control unit 920 transmits the EPG service
data to the crawler module 930 (S1008).

[0209] The crawler module 930 transmits the input EPG service data of each
digital receiver to the processor 950 (S 1010).

[0210] In this case, the crawler module 930 may analyze, for example, an
updated parameter from the EPG service data of each digital receiver.

[0211] Also, the crawler module 930 may process the analyzed result on a
per service-list-set-ID basis, and transmit the analyzed result to the
processor 950 along with the read service-list-set-ID.

[0212] In this case, although each digital receiver may transmit the EPG
service data to the first server 915 at the same time, alternatively,
each digital device may transmit the EPG service data at different times.

[0213] As a result of analyzing the EPG service data received from a
particular digital receiver, for example, the crawler module 930 may not
transmit the analyzed result to the processor 950 and remove the analyzed
result if it is determined that the EPG service data has the same
parameter as previously updated service data from another digital
receiver or has a version lower than the service data, for example.

[0214] The crawler module 930 may transmit the EPG service data to the
processor 950 whenever the EPG service data is received from each digital
receiver. However, in consideration of overload of the processor 950, a
sufficient level of updated parameters may be accumulated or may
periodically be transmitted to the processor 950, which may reduce
overall load of the server. The crawler module 930 may transmit a control
signal to adjust a transmission period of the digital receiver that has
transmitted the corresponding EPG service data if the version of the
received EPG service data is equal to or lower than the version of the
previously updated EPG service data.

[0215] The processor 950 receives the EPG service data of each digital
receiver transmitted from the crawler module 930, and stores the received
EPG service data in the database 970.

[0216] Here, the processor 950 receives the EPG service data from the
external EPG provider 990 periodically or non-periodically.

[0217] The processor 950 sorts the EPG service data received from the
crawler module 930 and the external EPG provider 990 based on, for
example, the previously configured super-sets, i.e., the
service-list-set-ID, and processes and stores the sorted EPG service data
in the database 970 in a unit of the aforementioned super-set (S1012).

[0218] For example, translation and merge may be used for the processing
procedure. The service-list-set-ID and basic information required for
channel change per broadcast standard may be added for later EPG service
data search.

[0219] Through the above described operation S1012, data processing for an
advanced EPG service is performed.

[0220] The control unit 920 or the SNS module 925 under control of the
control unit 920 may autonomously collect/generate information for
provision of an SNS linked to content and information on a data exchange
space. Also, the control unit 920 or the SNS module 925 under control of
the control unit 920 may store the information for provision of an SNS
and the information on the data exchange space in the first or second
database or in a separate database through at least one of the control
unit 920, the crawler module 930, and the processor 950. Meanwhile, the
control unit 920 or the SNS module 925 under control of the control unit
920 may request generation or provision of the information for provision
of an SNS linked to content or the information on the data exchange space
via communication with the SNS server 990. In this case, the control unit
920 or the SNS module 925 may generate information required to access a
particular server, i.e. identifier information based on information
previously received from the corresponding server, and transmit the
generated information to the digital receiver 910.

[0221] Thereafter, the information for provision of an SNS linked to
content may be provided as follows in response to an EPG service
provision request from each digital receiver.

[0222] If an EPG service provision request is received from the user, the
digital receiver 910 transmits a search parameter as well as the
previously received service-list-set-ID to the first server 915, to
request provision of an EPG service (S 1014).

[0223] In this case, the search parameter may include, for example, query
information, start index information, maximum result information,
category information, and sort information, in addition to the
aforementioned device information. In particular, an EPG may be set based
on the category information to request provision of an EPG service
according to the present invention. However, if the category is set to
`all`, for example, information on a CP tap (for example, YouTube tap) as
well as a real time tap may be received. In the case of the CP tap, only
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) information may be provided.

[0224] The control unit 920 checks the request of the digital receiver 910
and determines whether or not the corresponding request is a request for
transmission of the updated EPG service data or the request for provision
of an EPG service as described in Operation S1014.

[0225] If the determined result shows that the corresponding input is the
request for provision of an EPG service, the control unit 920 transmits a
search request including the search parameter to the search module 940 (S
1016).

[0226] The search module 940 analyzes the search parameter included in the
search request from the control unit 920.

[0227] The search module 940 transmits the analyzed result of the search
parameter to the search engine 980, and the search engine 980 searches
the databases 690 and 970 based on the transmitted search parameter
(S1018).

[0228] The search engine 980 receives the searched result from the
respective databases 960 and 970 and transmits the received result to the
search module 940.

[0229] The search module 940 analyzes the search result received from the
search engine 980, configures the analyzed result in a response format
corresponding to the request generated in Operation S1016, and returns
the response to the control unit 920. In this case, the returned response
of the search module 940 may be xml format, for example.

[0230] The control unit 920 transmits the EPG service data returned from
the search module 940 to the corresponding digital receiver (S 1022).
Here, the returned EPG service data includes, for example, the above
described information on an SNS linked to content according to the
present invention.

[0231] The corresponding digital receiver parses the EPG service data
received from the first server 915 in response to the request for
provision of an EPG service, and configures an EPG from the parsed result
to provide the EPG to the user (S1024). In this case, the parsed EPG
service data may be stored in the storage unit. The digital receiver may
filter data that cannot be processed or provided by the corresponding
digital receiver among the received EPG service data, and provide the
filtered data on a screen.

[0232] In the above described service system of FIG. 9 according to the
present invention, an SNS may use or may not use the crawler module.

[0233] In the present invention, an open SNS refers to the case in which a
server with or without the crawler module 930 configures and provides at
least one SNS linked to any content, whereby a user of a digital receiver
uses the SNS.

[0234] The open SNS allows the server to automatically open an SNS data
exchange space via recognition of a popular broadcast program using the
above described crawler module 930 of FIG. 9. For example, according to
the present invention, the server may automatically issue a temporary SNS
ID with respect to a broadcast program that exhibits a high real time
viewing rate. This allows simultaneous chat of users of several SNSs that
use an open API, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Also, according to the
present invention, all digital receivers may display an SNS ID (i.e. an
ID with respect to a program) as well as viewing rate information, and
users who registered as followers or friends of the corresponding SNS ID
are permitted to participate in a chat or to access chat content.

[0235] On the other hand, in the case of the open SNS without the crawler
module 930 according to the present invention, a management server on a
per country or local area basis may preset opening of an SNS chat room
with respect to a broadcast program that has a possibility of becoming an
issue. To this end, according to the present invention, if the server
issues a temporary SNS ID with respect to a preset broadcast program and
displays the SNS ID as well as a channel browser and a service guide, for
example, to assist all digital receivers in recognizing opening of a chat
room, users who registered as followers or friends of the corresponding
SNS ID may participate in a chat and access chat content.

[0236] For example, when the server recognizes a popular broadcast program
and automatically opens a data exchange space, the server automatically
issues a temporary SNS ID with respect to the broadcast program having a
high real time viewing rate. In this case, a plurality of users of an
open SNS, such as Facebook, Twitter, M2 day, etc., may perform data
exchange, i.e. chat via the temporary SNS ID. Meanwhile, in relation to
the viewing rate, the server may issue a temporary SNS ID with respect to
a program that acquires a high viewing rate every hour, and may omit the
SNS ID upon ending of the corresponding program. The temporarily issued
SNS ID may be configured into, for example,
LG_smartSNSkbs_spaymyungwal@lge.com. According to a UI access scenario of
the present invention, for example, the access to a viewing screen or a
channel browser screen of a smart-TV that is manufactured by the same
manufacturer as the server and to an SNS application of a digital
receiver is possible. Also, the present invention may control TVs or
smart-phones of different manufacturers to participate in an SNS based on
a particular search word (e.g., "LG_smart_SNS") in linkage with an SNS
server. Thereby, the present invention allows all users with or without
digital receivers of a particular manufacturer to conveniently use an
SNS, which results in enhanced SNS service quality and enables convenient
use of an SNS even via mobile appliances.

[0237] On the other hand, in the present invention, a closed SNS refers to
the case in which a user who wishes to use an SNS has to request linkage
of an SNS to a server that provides content. If a user who wishes to open
an SNS data exchange space with respect to a particular broadcast program
requests opening of the SNS data exchange space via, for example, an
application of the digital receiver, the server may open the
corresponding SNS data exchange space using service guide information
transmitted from the digital receiver and an SNS ID (as necessary, the
data exchange space may be opened via communication between the server
and the digital receiver). Then, the server may automatically send
invitations to SNS followers or friends of the user who requests opening
of the data exchange space (i.e. to digital receivers and/or mobile
appliances of the SNS followers or friends), thereby allowing the
followers or friends who accept invitation to participate in a chat and
access chat content.

[0238] FIGS. 11 to 18 are views illustrating various embodiments of
provision of an SNS in linkage with content according to the present
invention. These embodiments relate to provision of a user interface
(UI).

[0239]FIG. 11 illustrates, for example, a screen of a digital receiver
when a user executes an SNS application while watching a live broadcast,
or a screen that provides an SNS linked to content according to the
present invention.

[0240] The former refers to the case in which the user executes an SNS
application during viewing of a live broadcast or requests live broadcast
viewing during execution of an SNS application. A first area 11005
displays a logo with respect to a live broadcast (e.g., "CNN.com") and a
phrase (e.g., "Live with Facebook") indicating that an SNS is being
executed. A second area 11010 provides a live broadcast. A third area
11020 provides a thumbnail image or a channel browser. A fourth area
11030 provides an SNS.

[0241] In this case, if the live broadcast and the SNS are individually
executed on the screen of the digital receiver, they have no need to be
linked with each other in terms of content. Alternatively, even if the
live broadcast and the SNS are linked with each other, as described
above, the user needs to execute an application associated with the SNS,
and thereafter perform a login procedure. Therefore, up to now, there are
problems in that watching a live broadcast is impossible and in that
great time and effort are required to select one of a plurality of data
exchange spaces associated with content even after execution of an SNS.

[0242] On the other hand, in the case of the latter, the server according
to the present invention previously opens an SNS linked to content and
provides a temporary SNS ID to contribute to access convenience. This
allows the user to directly participate in an SNS even while watching a
live broadcast despite having the same screen configuration as in the
former case, thereby contributing to user convenience owing to reduced
time and effort.

[0243] FIG. 12 illustrates, for example, a screen configuration in which
the user uses an SNS while enjoying a web service, such as YouTube,
instead of the above described live broadcast as illustrated in FIG. 11.
A description of FIG. 12 is equal to the above description of FIG. 11
except for the live broadcast being replaced by YouTube, and thus a
detailed description will be omitted and replaced by the above
description.

[0244]FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an SNS access scenario according
to the present invention. For example, the server may not previously open
an SNS data exchange space in relation to certain content as occasion
demands. More specifically, the server may open an SNS data exchange
space only in relation to high rank content on the basis of the real time
viewing rate. The real time viewing rate must be known only after a
certain time has passed from execution of corresponding content.
Accordingly, if the user has already executed corresponding content
13020, the user can use an SNS only when knowing the fact that the SNS
data exchange space is provided. As one example to this end, as
illustrated in FIG. 13, a message "Live in SNS" indicating that an SNS
data exchange space is opened and use of an SNS is possible may be
displayed in a content area 13010 provided by a digital receiver.

[0245] In this regard, the UI 13010 as illustrated in FIG. 13 according to
the present invention may contain a great amount of information. For
example, although not illustrated, if the user selects the corresponding
UI, the digital receiver may provide a UI to inquire as to whether or not
the user selects use of an SNS provided by the server, and provide the
SNS based on user selection. In the case of providing the SNS based on
user selection, for example, if there are present a plurality of SNSs or
a plurality of data exchange spaces is opened in a particular SNS, this
information may be given in a sub-menu form such that any SNS or data
exchange space may be output based on user selection. Of course, when the
SNS or data exchange space is provided automatically or based on user
selection, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, different screen
configurations may be provided.

[0246]FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a screen that provides an SNS
linked to content according to FIG. 13. In FIG. 14, differently from
FIGS. 11 and 12, the screen may show that the corresponding SNS is not a
single SNS, but an integrated SNS of a plurality of SNSs (for example,
Facebook+Twitter in FIG. 14) and may also display a real time viewing
rate of corresponding content (32%) and an issued temporary SNS ID (32%
LG_smart_SNS_SBS_jis). For example, as described above, the screen may be
used to provide friends with information on use of an SNS, and may be
used to allow access of a mobile appliance, a PC, or other receivers that
are not manufactured by the same manufacturer as the server. Input may be
performed using a cellular phone SNS application or a TV input device,
such as a USB keyboard or a virtual keyboard.

[0247] In the case in which the server provides a service of FIGS. 13 and
14, the server may issue an SNS ID for three high rank broadcast programs
in relation to the real time viewing rate, and give a notification the
digital receiver. Then, if the user selects the notification using a
general remote controller or a magic remote controller, the user is
automatically registered as a friend or follower of the corresponding
program SNS ID, and is permitted to participate in a chat. However, in
this case, it may be necessary for the user to join an SNS and previously
register an ID and a password in the digital receiver. Alternatively, it
may be necessary that an associated SNS application has previously been
downloaded in the digital receiver. If the digital receiver does not have
the SNS application, the server may provide the corresponding application
to download and install the application in the digital receiver.
According to the present invention, in the case of providing the SNS
linked to content as illustrated in FIG. 14, a semitransparent chat
screen may be displayed on an area of a live broadcast screen to induce
more active participation of many and unspecified persons in a popular
program and to allow the user to upload his/her opinion. Also, a
semitransparent chat window may be provided in an area so as not to
disrupt viewing of a live channel.

[0248] In the present invention, if a plurality of SNSs linked to content
is present or a plurality of data exchange spaces is opened in a
particular SNS, this information may be displayed. Accordingly, this
assists the user in conveniently using an SNS linked to content or a data
exchange space even without change of content or requiring an operation
for provision of an SNS if the user does not like and wishes to change
any SNS or data exchange space that is being executed. Moreover, it is
possible to provide the user who enjoys an SNS linked on content with
information on an SNS linked to other content. For example, if the user
selects the SNS linked to other content, it is possible to allow the user
to use the SNS linked to other content without change of content, i.e.
while watching current content, and to change the current content
simultaneously with selection of the SNS linked to other content.

[0249]FIG. 15 illustrates another example of an SNS access scenario
according to the present invention. For example, FIG. 15 illustrates a
service guide.

[0250] Referring to FIG. 15, a thumbnail image or a channel browser may be
provided in an area of a service guide, and information on the viewing
rate or information indicating that an SNS linked to a channel or
broadcasting content of the corresponding channel is opened as well as
information for convenient access to the SNS (e.g., a message such as
"Live in SNS" or an SNS ID) may be provided in or at a lower end of a
channel browser screen. Meanwhile, a program list may be provided in
another area of the service guide, and detailed information on a channel
or program selected by the channel browser or the program list may be
provided in the other area of the service guide. The viewing rate
information and/or SNS access information may be provided over the
program list and/or detailed program information as in the above
described channel browser. Accordingly, if the user selects, for example,
content or access information on an SNS linked to the content from the
service guide as illustrated in FIG. 15, the content and the SNS linked
to the corresponding content may be provided simultaneously.

[0251] FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate a further example of an SNS access
scenario according to the present invention. For example, an SNS linked
to content according to the present invention may be provided by a
digital receiver or using a previously provided SNS.

[0252] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the digital receiver may provide a first
area 16010 with a live broadcast, a second area 16020 with a premium
service list, a third area 16030 with an application provided by a
manufacturer, a fourth area 16040 with Uls for various functions.

[0253] For example, it is assumed that the user of the digital receiver
selects an SNS via a menu while watching a live broadcast. In this case,
as described above, in addition to providing the live broadcast with
access information on the SNS linked to the live broadcast, an access
method for an SNS may be provided when the user executes an SNS
application as illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0254] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 17, an SNS screen may provide a
live broadcast, a UI or a folder (e.g., named as "LG live in SNS")
related to an SNS or a data exchange space provided by the digital
receiver or the server.

[0255] If the UI or the folder of FIG. 17 is selected, for example, a list
of data exchange spaces that are available in the digital receiver or
provided by the server or detailed information may be provided as
illustrated in FIG. 18.

[0256] For example, the access scenario of FIG. 17 or 18 may be more
readily available when using an external input or a PVR service.

[0257] As described above, the method of providing a service in the
digital receiver according to the present invention includes selecting
content including an identifier with respect to an SNS or a data exchange
space that is opened in linkage with content from a service guide, and
outputting the selected content and the SNS or the data exchange space
linked to the content in respective areas of a screen. The SNS linked to
the content includes a data exchange space configured to allow one or
more SNS users to simultaneously access the data exchange space using an
open API from the server. The SNS may further include a SNS identifier
having a format as access information for the corresponding data exchange
space.

[0258] The above described method may further include at least one of
requesting opening of an SNS data exchange space linked to a particular
program, determining whether or not a request for content change or
channel switching is input, and determining whether or not an SNS linked
to changed content or a switched channel is present if the determined
result shows that the request for content change or channel switching is
input. Meanwhile, depending on the presence of the SNS linked to the
changed content or the switched channel, the method may further include
inquiring whether or not to terminate an existing SNS or providing a new
SNS after automatically terminating the existing SNS. The SNS may be
executed via a corresponding SNS application previously stored in the
digital receiver.

[0259] The SNS identifier may be allotted from at least one of an
associated SNS server and a server to which the digital receiver belongs.
The format of the SNS identifier may be configured to provide existing
SNSs with each data exchange space linked to the output content
regardless of a service type, and the SNS may be at least one of an open
SNS and a closed SNS. The SNS identifier may be exclusive to the
corresponding digital receiver regardless of channel, content, and SNS
types, and the provided SNS may also provide information on the viewing
rate of corresponding content. The method may further include receiving a
digital signal including content and signaling information on the
content. The linked SNS may be determined based on at least one of a user
who uses the same content, an open chat with respect to common interest
content, a closed chat with respect to personal interest content, genre,
sex, ages, content, viewing rate, rating, time, channel, broadcast
station, manufacturer, friend, and series.

[0260] In another example, the method of providing a service in the
digital receiver according to the present invention may include executing
an SNS, outputting, based on a reference, a list of at least one service
item linked to at least one content among the executed SNS, and
outputting a service window for the service item selected from the output
list and content linked to the service item in respective areas.

[0261] According to the present invention as described above, a variety of
SNS scenarios may be provided via a digital system and a service system
for the same. For example, even if a user is not a member of an SNS
and/or even if the user does not execute and/or log into an SNS
application provided in the digital receiver, the user is permitted to
use the SNS while executing a broadcast program, a game or another
application. The digital receiver may provide a UI to assist the user in
more easily and conveniently using the SNS. The service system and the
digital receiver may provide a further improved active SNS environment,
thereby achieving enhanced user convenience and product satisfaction to
increase purchase desire.

[0262] The service system and the method of providing a service in the
digital receiver according to the present invention are not limited to
the configurations of the above described various embodiments, and those
skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and/or
substitutions are possible. For example, those skilled in the art may
selectively combine all or some of the respective embodiments of the
present invention.

[0263] The service system and the method of providing a service in the
digital receiver according to the present invention may be implemented as
code that can be written on a processor readable recording medium and
thus read by a processor provided in the service system and/or the
digital receiver. The processor readable recording medium may be any type
of recording device in which data is stored in a processor readable
manner. Examples of the processor readable recording medium include a
ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data
storage device, and a carrier wave (e.g., data transmission over the
Internet). Also, the processor readable recording medium can be
distributed over a plurality of computer systems connected to a network
so that processor readable code is written thereto and executed therefrom
in a decentralized manner.

[0264] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended
that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of
this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims
and their equivalents.